Delhi to get helpline for flood victims

The Delhi government Monday announced it has set up a helpline for people from the city who are stranded in Uttarakhand after devastating floods and landslides in the state.

"We have decided to set up a helpline number 1077 for flood-affected victims of the capital. It will start operating from tomorrow (Tuesday)," Dikshit told reporters here.

"Those whose relatives are stranded in Uttarakhand can send their messages to them through this helpline," Dikshit told reporters here after the cabinet meeting.

The chief minister also said that out of 782 people from Delhi who were stranded in the flood-ravaged hill state, 182 have returned to the capital.

The Delhi government will send its officers to the devastated state to facilitate the travel and evacuation of people, she added.

Meanwhile, heavy rains in Dehradun and other parts of Uttarakhand Monday hampered rescue and evacuation operations in the state.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna Sunday said over 1,000 people may have died in one of the worst disasters to hit the hill state.